Very New Novice Spyder RT Limited Rider

[Dan McNally]

I see that you retired from the USAF; I retired from the Army in 2000 and the federal govt this past December and loving every minute.

Its a small world! I did 10 of my 25+ USAF years in joint assignments. When I retired from the Pentagon in '92, I would run into more folks I knew in "Army Country" and "Navy Country" that I did on USAF turf! I also went to work for the federal government - and retired from the Justice Department in January. To make it an even smaller world . . . a guy down the block from me also has a Spyder . . . and is retired Army, working for ATF! Go out and ride a lot . . . with every mile you will get more comfortable with the Spyder, and have more fun!

 

[exwinger]

Welcome

Congrats on the purchase of your spyder. You will get used to it after awhile and it will become 2nd nature. As Cyncyspyder mentioned there is an ohio spyder rider group in Columbus.Surprised that ASK didn't mention it to you since OSR has a few functions that start from there .I'm from Lancaster myself. There are quite a few women riders in the OSR group also so you won't feel alone. Go to the site ( Ohiospyderryders.com ) and check out the site. One of the gals that is a member is named Belle on the site , contact her from the site and I'm sure she will welcome you and make you feel at home.

John

 

[BitSlayer]

:congrats: on your :spyder2: purchase and :welcome:. I really cannot add to what other have state above. Just remember a light grip on the controls and with your knees and enjoy the ryde. This is a great sight with TONS of people willing to help with both ryding skills as well as the technical side of the beast. I think you will grow to love it as much the rest of us.

 

[Questions]

Congrats on the purchase of your spyder. You will get used to it after awhile and it will become 2nd nature. As Cyncyspyder mentioned there is an ohio spyder rider group in Columbus.Surprised that ASK didn't mention it to you since OSR has a few functions that start from there .I'm from Lancaster myself. There are quite a few women riders in the OSR group also so you won't feel alone. Go to the site ( Ohiospyderryders.com ) and check out the site. One of the gals that is a member is named Belle on the site , contact her from the site and I'm sure she will welcome you and make you feel at home.

John

Thanks John.......the ASK folks introduce me to Spyder ryders every time I go up there. Will definitely check out that website.

 

[redflasher]

I'm 70 and the wife is 75. We still manage to put several thousand miles on the odometer every year.

 

[Jdsd1]

I like your spirit Pam...

Read your manual. There is a section about riding skills. Take your Spyder to a large/empty parking lot and setup the tracks as they show and then practice.

A busy road/highway is not a place anyone would encourage you to practice. As you stated, other people are not going to be patient, and you can put yourself and others in danger by doing so.

Lastly, read the link in my signature. It is a collection of various advice (updated regularly) gathered from this site that might be helpful.

Ride often, safe, and alert. Have fun!:thumbup:

Welcome Pam, for the highway experience I suggest you pick a early Sunday morning when the traffic is light. you will feel safer and can speed up as your confidence increases.

Good riding.

 

[ruthie]

Welcome Pam. Hope to see you at Girls on Spyders on Facebook. Great place for us ladies to share our adventures.

 

[bruiser]

Welcome. My wife never drove a motorcycle. She would have nothing to do with 2 wheelers. I purchased our first RTS in 2010 so she would ride with me. After a year I asked her if she wanted to learn how to drive it. Long story short, I had to buy another RTS for me.

 

[Ralph]

Pam nice ride

Howdy all. I am Pam's husband we went over the do's and dont's thread last night. It was very informative. I keep telling Pam to RTFM, and now maybe she will.

The Spyder is her baby. I'm a two wheeler myself (please don't hold that against me). I really like her Spyder. I've driven it and have been a passenger with her driving it. I gotta say, as a novice ryder she is doing well. She has a tendency to try to over grip the handlebars, but we are working on that as a team.

I did the same thing the 1st time I drove it, and it causes some disconcerting control issues. She still gets a tad nervous at speeds over 45mph, but her improvement over the past couple of weeks has been dramatic.

I'm very proud of her.

Pam I got my spider last July had 500 mile on it by September. I did a lot of riding on I call off State highways. Just got enough nerve to do the interstate this summer. Ejoy your sipder I love mine and I am 65 but have had my motorcycle endorsment for years. As I say enjoy it!!!!! I am from Ohio too south of Canton

 

[Questions]

Pam and I both appreciate the advice and encouragement that you kind folks have provided.

 

[Questions]

Made another step at being a more experienced Spyder Ryder today.

Went to the mall with my husband Rich. He was riding his tip over.

On the way home we got caught in a pretty bad rain storm. Some pretty strong straight line wind, heavy rain and lightning that was way too close for comfort. At one point it felt like some hail was coming down along with the rain. It stung a bit.

OMG!

The rain was coming down so hard we couldn't see more than about 20 feet or so. We both had our hazard lights on for increased visibility for other drivers as we were driving well below the speed limit at that point.

We found a self serve car wash to duck into until the worse had passed. It wasn't a lot fun, but it sure was an interesting experience. The rain storm came up so quickly that I didn't even have time to pull over and don my rain gear. We both got soaked.

I am going to contact Can-Am and the maker of my helmet and suggest that they install wiper blades on the wind screen and helmet visor. LOL.

 

[CurtG]

Nothing like baptism by fire. We had a thing in Washington Court House today but based on a ugly weather forecast we went by cage. Caught probably the same storm you guys did. Was happyt with my decision, Linda doubly so.

Ride safe,

 

[Questions]

Welcome Pam. Hope to see you at Girls on Spyders on Facebook. Great place for us ladies to share our adventures.

Thanks Ruthie; I did get on with GOS and have received a very nice warm welcome!!

 

[Questions]

OK, other than getting caught out in a major thunder storm and was scared half out of my mind I am still having issues with riding. I try to ride every day that it's not raining even if it's just a short distance. The bike seems to be a bit squirrely when I get up to 45mph or so. It may be my sense of insecurity or inexperience but I want to be able to ride so my husband and I could take some weekend trips and really get out and enjoy ourselves. I keep reading comments on the board and my husband reading stuff to me as to what others are having issues with and I am unsure of what's what. He is not s Spyder ryder (he's a tip over rider) although he has ridden mine and what disconcerts him is that it oversteers especially at higher speeds. Do I need the sway bar, adjust my front shocks or what? (Just a few of my concerns from what I am reading) I have around 450 or so miles on the bike so I know that I DO need to get out and ride more to get more comfortable on the bike. What I would like, if anyone is available, is to come over to my home (I live in Columbus, OH just a bit from Grove City) and ride with me to see what I am doing wrong. I am retired so am home all day by myself unless I am out riding. Please send me a private message if interested. Thanks for listening.........

 

[Bob Denman]

Hi Pam,
Taking nice, slow, and easy is the best way to gain confidence in the Spyder's capabilities... and yours!
I honestly wouldn't be too quick to throw new hardware into the equation... The Anti-SwayBar, the Elka shocks, PitBull's shock mount relocation brackets all would help "tighten up" the feel of the bike; you just need to log more time in the saddle to decided if you want (Or need!) those items up under the front end of your bike...
Remember:
...relaxed hands on the grips... :thumbup:

 

[Questions]

Hi Pam,
Taking nice, slow, and easy is the best way to gain confidence in the Spyder's capabilities... and yours!
I honestly wouldn't be too quick to throw new hardware into the equation... The Anti-SwayBar, the Elka shocks, PitBull's shock mount relocation brackets all would help "tighten up" the feel of the bike; you just need to log more time in the saddle to decided if you want (Or need!) those items up under the front end of your bike...
Remember:
...relaxed hands on the grips... :thumbup:

I know that I am gripping the throttle too hard because my hand goes numb.....will try to work on that.....thanks

 

[Questions]

OK, other than getting caught out in a major thunder storm and was scared half out of my mind I am still having issues with riding. I try to ride every day that it's not raining even if it's just a short distance. The bike seems to be a bit squirrely when I get up to 45mph or so. It may be my sense of insecurity or inexperience but I want to be able to ride so my husband and I could take some weekend trips and really get out and enjoy ourselves. I keep reading comments on the board and my husband reading stuff to me as to what others are having issues with and I am unsure of what's what. He is not s Spyder ryder (he's a tip over rider) although he has ridden mine and what disconcerts him is that it oversteers especially at higher speeds. Do I need the sway bar, adjust my front shocks or what? (Just a few of my concerns from what I am reading) I have around 450 or so miles on the bike so I know that I DO need to get out and ride more to get more comfortable on the bike. What I would like, if anyone is available, is to come over to my home (I live in Columbus, OH just a bit from Grove City) and ride with me to see what I am doing wrong. I am retired so am home all day by myself unless I am out riding. Please send me a private message if interested. Thanks for listening.........

No disrespect but prefer a more experience spyder rider to ride with me....thanks

 

[jerpinoy]

:welcome::welcome:I think you will do just fine. Enjoy and be safe. God bless us all.

 

[rick_w]

Spyder Ride

Pam and I have been trying to find some Spyder riding groups that she can go on trips with. Are you aware of any in central/southern Ohio?

We really want her to be able to maximize her riding experience on the new Spyder.

If you want a nice ride close to Columbus try our escorted ride out of Zanesville on August 10th. We are expecting a few Spyders this year.
Teresa will be there with our New Spyder RT this year also. She always ride in the back to keep track of everything. She broke both bones in her left leg just above the ankle a few months ago, can not ride her bike, but absolutely loves the Spyder. She likes the Spyder so much she is going to sell her custom painted C90.

You will like the ride, not fast and a great time.
Rick
11th Annual 2013 SE Ohio Motorcycle Ride
Saturday August 10th 2013, 9:15 AM

www.valueaccessories.net/SEOhioRide.htm

 

[spyderyderjim]

Grip Puppies foam over the stock grips will help relax grip

Pam and I both appreciate the advice and encouragement that you kind folks have provided.

Hi Rich & Pam,
Welcome to Spyder ryding fun!!
A few suggestions may help Pam on 2013 Spyder RT:
1. Grip Puppies foam slip over stock grips allowing a more relaxed grip. http://www.casporttouring.com/store...PROD&Product_Code=GPSMALL&Category_Code=grips
2. Lower rear shock air to all soft will lower the Spyder RT rear end a little & steering will not be so quick. (just push on shock switch soft while riding in gear).
3. Check front tire pressure at about 17 or 18#, ( a lower tire pressure on front will calm down the quick steering). Rear about 28#.
4. Always make shifts above 4,500 rpm on SE5 trans.
5. I grip the front sides of seat with my knees, (that seems to allow a more relaxed grip on bars).
6. Throttlerocker/Crampbuster http://www.casporttouring.com/cst/motorcycle/Hand-Cont/CRAMP-W.html
A lot of helpful info here, don't let it overwhelm Pam, just keep it simple & soon she will feel very comfy riding Spyder RT. Have fun.
(I have 3,500 miles on my 2013 Spyder RT-S I rode 1,400 miles from PitBull Powersports in Springfield, Mo to Tucson, Arizona; & love ryding it daily). Jim :yes: